Metal release profiles of orthodontic bands, brackets, and wires: an in vitro study.

AIM: The present study evaluated the temporal release of Co Cr, Mn, and Ni from the components of a typical orthodontic appliance during simulated orthodontic treatment. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Several commercially available types of bands, brackets, and wires were exposed to an artificial saliva solution for at least 44 days and the metals released were quantified in regular intervals using inductively coupled plasma quadrupole mass spectrometry (ICP-MS, Elan DRC+, Perkin Elmer, USA). Corrosion products encountered on some products were investigated by a scanning electron microscope equipped with an energy dispersive X-ray microanalyzer (EDX). RESULTS: Bands released the largest quantities of Co, Cr, Mn, and Ni, followed by brackets and wires. Three different temporal metal release profiles were observed: (1) constant, though not necessarily linear release, (2) saturation (metal release stopped after a certain time), and (3) an intermediate release profile that showed signs of saturation without reaching saturation. These temporal metal liberation profiles were found to be strongly dependent on the individual test pieces. The corrosion products which developed on some of the bands after a 6-month immersion in artificial saliva and the different metal release profiles of the investigated bands were traced back to different attachments welded onto the bands. CONCLUSION: The use of constant release rates will clearly underestimate metal intake by the patient during the first couple of days and overestimate exposure during the remainder of the treatment which is usually several months long. While our data are consistent with heavy metal release by orthodontic materials at levels well below typical dietary intake, we nevertheless recommend the use of titanium brackets and replacement of the band with a tube in cases of severe Ni or Cr allergy.

Long-term skeletal and dental effects of facemask versus chincup treatment in Class III patients : A retrospective study.

OBJECTIVES: To investigate the skeletal and dental changes during chincup versus facemask treatment, to compare the long-term effects of the two appliances, and to document the impact of each on treatment success. METHODS: In all, 61 patients with Class III syndrome were retrospectively analyzed at three examination times: 7.8 ± 1.7 years of age (T0, pretreatment), 9.6 ± 2.4 years of age (T1, posttreatment), and around 15-20 years later (T2, long-term follow-up). RESULTS: Significant changes of specific cephalometric parameters for all treatment times: T0-T1 (SNA, interbase and gonial angle, Björk's sum angle, maxillomandibular differential, and distance of upper lip to esthetic line), T1-T2 (NL-NSL, SNB, mandibular-body length, effective mandibular length, and effective maxillary length), and T0-T2 (mandibular-body length, effective mandibular length, effective maxillary length, maxillomandibular differential, SNB, ANB, gonial angle, Björk's sum angle, and Wits appraisal). The T1-T2 results illustrate that in both treatment groups the typical Class III growth pattern often reappeared after treatment, including gains in SNB angle, condylion-gnathion length, and gonion-menton distance. CONCLUSIONS: Either a facemask or a chincup may be effectively used to treat Class III malocclusion. There were differences in long-term stability. Maxillary development was similarly favorable in both groups of patients with successful outcome. The subgroup in whom chincup treatment had failed were mainly characterized by excessive mandibular growth, or lack of maxillary catch-up growth, with deterioration of the maxillomandibular relationship notably in the initial phase of treatment. Early chincup treatment did not have an adverse impact on the temporomandibular joints.

Retrospective 25-year follow-up of treatment outcomes in angle Class III patients : Early versus late treatment.

OBJECTIVES: To assess early versus late treatment of Class III syndrome for skeletal and dental differences. METHODS: Thirty-eight Class III patients treated with a chincup were retrospectively analyzed. Baseline data were obtained by reviewing pretreatment (T0) anamnestic records, cephalograms, and casts. The cases were assigned to an early or a late treatment group based on age at T0 (up to 9 years or older than 9 years but before the pubertal growth spurt). Both groups were further compared based on posttreatment data (T1) and long-term follow-up data collected approximately 25 years after treatment (T2). RESULTS: Early treatment was successful in 74% and late treatment in 67% of cases. More failures were noted among male patients. The late treatment group was characterized post therapeutically by significantly more pronounced skeletal parameters of jaw size relative to normal Class I values; in addition, a greater skeletal discrepancy between maxilla and mandible, higher values for mandibular length, Cond-Pog, ramus height, overjet, anterior posterior dysplasia indicator (APDI), lower anterior face height, and gonial angle were measured at T1. The angle between the AB line and mandibular plane was found to be larger at T0, T1, and T2, as well as more pronounced camouflage positions of the lower anterior teeth at T0. The early treatment group was found to exhibit greater amounts of negative overjet at T0 but more effective correction at T1. CONCLUSIONS: Early treatment of Class III syndrome resulted in greater skeletal changes with less dental compensation.

Paramedian vertical palatal bone height for mini-implant insertion: a systematic review.

Paramedian insertion of orthodontic mini-implants is increasingly used to anchor molar distalizers. The aim of this review was to systematically examine the available measurements of vertical palatal bone height (VBH). PUBMED, MEDLINE and the Cochrane Controlled Trials Register were searched using specific search terms. Hand searches of bibliographies of articles were also performed to identify studies measuring VBH or bone thickness in the human palate. Sixteen studies were included, arising from 19 published articles. Repeat presentations were excluded. Ten of the 11 computed tomogram (CT)-based studies presented data from 956 orthodontic patients on average VBH and its variation at a range of palatal sites. Individual data were not available, and pooling of data was not feasible because of heterogeneity of subjects, different measurement sites, different CT methods and their associated software. The compilation of data did indicate that the region 3-4mm behind the incisive foramen and 3-9mm lateral to the midpalatal suture should normally provide sufficient VBH to anchor molar distalizers. The risks of unwanted effects during distalization should be small, but the limitations listed above and the small numbers of studies available impair the precision of the estimates and do not allow the results to be generalized. Paramedian anchorage in the anterior palate can be recommended for molar distalization but, given the great inter-individual variability of the palatal bone height, it must be preceded by reliable CT-based imaging in patients identified by routine investigations as being at risk.

Remodelling of the palatal dome following rapid maxillary expansion (RME): laser scan-quantifications during a low growth period.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate changes in the palatal vault after rapid maxillary expansion (RME) with bonded splint appliances. SETTING AND SAMPLE POPULATION: The sample comprised 24 children (12 boys and 12 girls) with mixed dentition (mean age 8.3 years; range 6.4-10.4 years). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Following expansion, the splint appliance was used as a retainer for 6 months and then removed. Study casts were taken before RME (T0) and when the appliance was removed (T1). Then, 3D laser scans were taken to build complete 3D jaw models. Frontal cross sections were constructed at 53-63, 55-65 and 16-26, exported as coordinates, and finite element calculated to quantify their area, width and height. Maxillary length was also determined. RESULTS: Paired t-tests indicated statistically significant increases in the average palatal width (T1-T0=6.53-6.79 mm) and cross-sectional area (T1-T0=20.39-21.39 mm2) after RME (p<0.001). However, small but statistically significant reductions were observed in palatal height (T1-T0=-0.49 mm, only at 55-65; p<0.001) and length (T1-T0=-0.54 mm; p<0.01). Linear regression analysis showed statistically significant (p<0.001) direct correlations between the widths and respective cross-sectional areas. Age did not influence any measurement. The reliability of the measurements was examined with an intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). We found an ICC>0.99 (p<0.001) for all tested parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Rapid maxillary expansion distinctly increased mean palatal widths and cross-sectional areas. However, palatal height (55-65) and maxillary length decreased to a small extent.

Rapid maxillary expansion screws on the test bench--a pilot study.

In order to apply high, short-term forces during rapid maxillary expansion (RME) to the sutures of the maxilla with minimum loss of force and without causing unwanted side-effects (dentoalveolar tipping, etc.), the appliance should be as rigid as possible. The retention arms of the RME screws, representing a particularly vulnerable and stressed weak point of RME appliances, were the focus of this laboratory technical study. Retention arms of 16 types of RME screws comprising four arms and one with eight arms were examined using a three-point bending test. According to their ability to absorb the applied bending loads, the screws were classified in product groups from 1 (highest) to 6 (lowest). Fifteen of the tested retention arms (stainless steel), despite having the same diameter (1.48-1.49 mm), differed up to 69.81 per cent between the highest (288.0 N) and lowest (169.6 N) maximum force parameters and up to 66.40 per cent between the highest (3325.9 N/mm(2)) and lowest (1998.7 N/mm(2)) maximum bending stress parameters. Due to optimum formability, though reduced rigidity, a titanium screw for nickel-sensitive patients (group 6) displayed the lowest force and bending tension values. The stainless steel double arms of the eight-arm screw device welded on both ends displayed the highest force data. The mean ductilities of the groups with the most and least rigid single steel arms differed by 22.77 per cent. Statistical analysis using the Pearson correlation coefficient revealed a significant indirect correlation between ductility and both maximum force (r = -0.780, P < 0.001) and maximum bending stress (r = -0.778, P < 0.001). The SUPERscrews, the Tiger Dental four-arm screw (group 1), and the eight-arm screw displayed the highest capacity to absorb an applied bending load. The screws in groups 3-6 appear acceptable for RME during the pre-pubertal period, whereas in the pubertal and post-pubertal period, groups 1 and 2 are sufficient. In early adulthood only the screws in group 1 and especially the eight-arm screw seem advisable, as mechanical demands increase with age.

Evaluation of short-term treatment with 30 mg of quazepam in insomniac outpatients.

In a short-term clinical study, 60 insomniac outpatients were randomly assigned to receive either 30 mg of quazepam or placebo orally for five consecutive nights. All measures of sleep quazepam-treated patients had better sleep from the first night of treatment onward. Quazepam is a safe and effective hypnotic agent, and its efficacy is manifested on the first night of administration.